Jasper Fforde

Lost in a Good Book

Thursday Next’s adventures continue.

A very random book without much in the way of a plot. This
doesn’t have to be a bad thing – and wouldn’t be if Fforde wisely chose to
simply let us revel in ludicrous episodic adventures. Something like a Dr. Who
or Sherlock Holmes structure, where there doesn’t have to be some big linking
overstory, but enjoyable characters can pop up here and there in different
distinct episodes within a loose framework. Fortunately you don’t need a
workable plot or antagonist to make the story enjoyable: Fforde’s sense of
humour playing with literary conventions and his ability to create a stream of
eccentric characters in imaginative settings are enough.

However, the unnecessary poorly executed plot (Landon is
erased, and Thursday doesn’t quite get around to restoring him – end of part
two) does dilute the pleasure of the book: Plot is the second weakest aspect of
this series so far. Yes, I understand that central to the fun of this book is
playing with things without them having to make rigorous scientific sense, but
it is possible to work towards satisfying resolutions consistent within the
imagined (if surreal) world. It is annoying that supposedly
super-perceptive street-wise Thursday only uses her unique and impressive
powers to serve – with childlike trust – people who have only ever lied to her.
This just doesn’t work with what we know of Thursday. The line ‘blinded by
love’ doesn’t cut it – Goliath is her enemy, and it is totally out of character
that she never tries to take them on. It also is dodgy that she is happily
distracted by adventures with Miss Havisham and a nice holiday by the sea, when
she’s supposed to be a driven, intelligent, highly resourceful and
supernaturally gifted hero with her one true love to restore. It’d be great if
Fforde could combine his impressive imagination with a robust novel (or even
series) structure – but here it would be better if he dropped the deeper plots.

And while he’s at it, it’d be great if his dodgy villains
were collateral damage in this process. They’re the weakest aspect of the
series. This book’s Hades is similarly paper thin: handed super-evil powers
without even a whiff of explanation, and the motive, “You killed my brother,”
only making sense until you trace it back to the total lack of motive in her
sibling. Likewise the Goliath corporation – the merest carbon shadowy
mega-company lifted from a hundred bad derivative Hollywood flicks – which Fforde
can’t even bother giving a history.

So, sure, this is OK, and could even have been outstanding –
Fforde has some real originality and talent – if not for the couple of glaring
flaws.